Looking for 9mm for less than 600 dollars - leaning towards a Glock

Okay, I've narrowed it down to the Glock 43X and the Glock 48.
Both are easy to conceal, and both have great ergonomics.

 

Post 76,
Unless the buyer is exempt from California's roster, the Glock 43X or 48 can easily sell for twice the retail price and only via private party transfer (i.e. face to face using an FFL). The $500 budget has just gone up to $1000, but the price to the seller will be negotiable.

Here's a forum dealing specifically with California firearms:
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/index.php

 

I assume you've handled/held the Glocks? "Great ergonomics" is not a generally accepted feature of Gaston's progeny.

 

Okay, based on that information, I'm looking at the Glock 19 and 19C.

 

The Glock 31/32/33 and their subvariants look interesting.
I didn't consider any .357 handguns before because I couldn't find any under $400
Now that I've upped my budget, and looked at the .357, it intrigues me.

 

It's not on the CA allowed list.
https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search

 

I suggest going into a California gun store to see what they actually are selling and at least handle and maybe even rent what interests you. From the looks on the roster that is not much these days as far as new guns. I also highly recommend looking at Gen 3 Glock 19 or 17 as MANY have already recommedned and not at cheaper brand guns like Taurus and SCCY as I would think you want something very relable and durable. Also check the availability and prices on ammo as their can be a huge difference in price between calibers and that can make a difference if you plan to shoot more than just occasionaly.

You also mention CCW. I have read that can be a real horror story to get in California too. Not sure what the law is about concealed carry on your own property though if that is your main concern.

Good luck!

 

A consideration that is important to me is reliability. For that reasons I prefer that the pistol is striker fired and has a hinged trigger, as these are less prone to malfunctions due to contaminants. Garand Thumb recently showed a video of various vulnerabilities when he did a water splash and freeze test on various pistols. The striker fired pistols with hinged triggers all fired. Most other types did not fire. While many of you do not live in areas where freezing is an issue, the testing did suggest that contaminants of other types could also pose a problem. I think that way too many people make their carry decisions based on nostalgia, instead of objective reasoning.

 

I prefer Glock myself over most other handguns for most every purpose. Since you are challenged with things like the state imposed mag limit, a roster of what is ok and what isn't, etc.- I would say you might as well eliminate Glocks like the 17, 19, and others that normally hold more than 10 rounds since you won't benefit with the size of the pistol designed to hold more ammo. Maybe something like a 26 or 43 or 48 would be a better choice. They are all designed for concealed carry, which I know isn't really a thing where you live, but you would get the advantage of a compact pistol that is compliant with your laws. I think the 48 might be the best choice of the 3, assuming its on your roster. 10 rounds, pretty skinny, so easier to use than the fatter/shorter 26, which pretty much requires a pinky extension to be able to be properly gripped, IMO.

 

This is a local gun store's listings for 9mm Glock availability:
https://www.turners.com/all-products/browse/brand/glock/caliber/9mm/perpage/11

 

Darn...
Most of the guns I want are not on the CA-legal list.
I changed my mind about the .357
I've gone back to just looking at 9mm.
The only Glock that I like now is the Glock 19.
Some people don't love the ergonomics of the G19, but it's CA-legal.
I think I'll be getting the G19.

 

Falling into NutNFamcy's marketing... "Gun manufacturers hate him!!!!".

Just like half the small time channels in the gun and politics realm... "Hit that like and subscribe button... Fight the algorithm... YouTube hates us... Seriously give us more traffic because we need more traffic... It's a conspiracy... Give us money for the conspiracy..."

 

Excellent 1st choice.

 

IMO the Glock 19 is the best all around 9mm.

 

I recommend you contact Poway Weapons & Gear 13550 Danielson St Poway CA 92064 858-206-5057, I had a membership when I lived out there. Absolutely my favorite indoor range of all time. Nicest group of people there that you would ever want to meet

 

Don't discount a used Glock if it saves a few bucks. If it looks decent you're good to go. Worst case it is very easy to send back to the Glock factory for a refresh.

Plain Jane vanilla reliable, but watch the limp wristing. I see new shooters do it a lot. Glocks need a high held grip angle. It's easy to biff this if you're stressed too.

Rugers are good.

Have you thought about if you want a manual safety or not? When I was new, I liked the safety. You still need to be smart and keep your finger off the trigger until you're on target and intending to launch a bullet, but it was an appreciated feature for me at the time.

Glock considers the doodad in the trigger to be the safety, but this safety can be disengaged by a bit of shirt getting between the trigger and guard during reholstering, etc. You see negligent discharges among police officers occasionally during reholstering. In Israel they carry their Glock 19s condition three or empty chamber. Not a big fan of that personally.

Don't discount a new or used example of the original wonder nines, which were largely metal framed, usually aluminum. I'm talking about the Beretta 92fs or sig p226, Hi power or Smith and Wesson 5906 Ruger p89 etc. There are too many to list really.

You said you're a dude with big hands and a sig 226 fits me, as a dude with big hands, quite well. The Beretta is a skinny svelte thing compared to the sig.

Not to muddy the waters too much, but I didn't think about my desire for a safety until I'd bought a couple guns. I remember being new.

Range time is good. Hit me up if you have any questions or want to chat. I'm in Illinois so I can somewhat relate to crappy gun laws.

 

Even if you got a used Glock and you had some reservations Glock will ck it out and make "needed" repairs or upgrades. And usually free. I got a 20+ yr old glock 19 and they had to replace the frame and they went over it and upgraded other stuff all for free.

 

You could check out the Springfield XD series for more of a choice. They are Cal compliant if you can find one and should be between $4-500.
There is nothing wrong with them either. They are just as square and boxey as a Glock.

 

Hard to go wrong.